Japanese Art: Humble and Bold

Grade Level:

6–12

Student Level:

Middle School

Japanese art encompasses aesthetics ranging from earthy and subtle to colorful and luxurious. In this lesson students encounter works in a variety of media, including ceramics used in the tea ceremony, enamelware, and folding screens made from paper and wood. Discussion focuses not only on the formal qualities of these works, but also on their practical uses. Critical thinking is encouraged through analysis of the works of art as an indicator of Japanese social values and tastes.

Students will recognize the dual nature of Japanese art-sometimes natural, irregular and modest, and other times bright and flamboyant-and will identify examples of each.

Students will gain observation skills necessary for appreciating a work of art, and will think about how these images display an interest in natural forces and how the images affect sensory perception.

Students will learn introductory-level Japanese words used to describe works of art.